[Politics] May 12th, 1994. Is this where it all went wrong?

[Dick Head]

John Smith, the best Prime Minister we never had.

 

[Eeyore]

He would have been elected. Although I suspect not with such a big majority as Blair. Murdoch wouldn't have allowed that.

 

[Jim D]

John Smith, the best Prime Minister we never had.

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I thought that was Hugh Gaitskell - at least that was what we were told in the 60s

 

[Mo Gosfield]

The Tories were on their last legs and Major won by default, really. I thought Smith was one of the most impressive politicians in my lifetime and given the chance, would have been a very good PM. Blair may have emerged as a high flyer but not as a future PM. Smith's death was tragic and coupled with the earlier loss of the talented and personable David Penhaligon ( certain future Liberal leader ) politics lost two men who would have made a serious mark on affairs in the 90's and 00's.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

I thought that was Hugh Gaitskell - at least that was what we were told in the 60s

Now there is a man who died in very suspicious circumstances.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

Not sure about Smith passing being the problem, I tend to lean more towards the Chinese.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

He would have been elected. Although I suspect not with such a big majority as Blair. Murdoch wouldn't have allowed that.

Rupert Murdoch . . . don't get me started.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Not sure about Smith passing being the problem, I tend to lean more towards the Chinese.

Laboratory or bats though?

 

[Don Tmatter]

Now there is a man who died in very suspicious circumstances.

Robin Cook’s looked a bit suspicious as well iirc.

 

[Danny Wilson Said]

I must confess to an admiration of his daughter, the BBC reporter Sarah Smith.

 

[Questions]

If you want to know who will make their move to topple Boris then look very close to him now. They’ll bide their time. You can only challenge once ...they won’t break rank yet.

 

[Invicta]

26 years ago, how can that be ! UK politics would have been a different story.

 

[kevo]

Agreed, a great politician. Puts most of today's to shame. He would surely have become PM.

 

[Bodian]

One of my heroes. I think of him most weeks, as part of my job involves the 'right to roam', which was effectively the John Smith Memorial Act. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/1999/mar/09/uk.politicalnews3

 

[Weststander]

Smith would’ve won the 1997 general election with ease, Major’s government were hopeless (other than the excellent Ken Clarke and his economic stewardship), the party split down the middle.

I wish people wouldn’t rate the power of Murdoch as so decisive. He only switched to supporting New Labour when he saw it was highly likely. At most, it added some seats.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Great man. But still, Mr Tony kept the tories at bay for 10 years and you can't turn back the clock.

 

[Insel affe]

Great man. But still, Mr Tony kept the tories at bay for 10 years and you can't turn back the clock.

I thought Mr “Public School” Tony was a Tory !
Great leader, he led the whole country up the garden path, across the channel, through Europe and into Iraq......

That went well


Smith was the real deal, and had my vote, not Blair ever.